Hal Ashby (1929-1988) was an influential American film director and a key figure of the New Hollywood movement of the 1970s. He began his career as an editor, winning an Academy Award for *In the Heat of the Night* (1967).

His style is characterized by a profound humanism, attention to nonconformist characters, and a unique blend of melancholic comedy and drama. Among his most significant works are the cult classic *Harold and Maude* (1971), the social satire *The Last Detail* (1973) starring Jack Nicholson, *Shampoo* (1975), and the drama *Coming Home* (1978), which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. His filmography culminated with the philosophical masterpiece *Being There* (1979), starring Peter Sellers. Ashby left behind a legacy of original films and unforgettable characters.